Lahar flow hit at least two barangays in the Kanlaon-affected La Castellana town, as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) placed the Negros Island Region under the effect of a low pressure area and the southwest monsoon.

Continuous heavy rains and the piled debris of the ash fall from recent eruptions of the Kanlaon Volcano triggered the lahar flow in Sitio Tamburong in Barangay Biak na Bato and Sitio San Luis, Barangay Sag-ang of the town, on Friday, June 6, while Purok Narra in Barangay Mansalanao experienced flooding in their area.

Based on the Pagasa advisory, a total of 45.5 millimeters of rain over a 3.5-hour period was also recorded by the all-weather station of the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, while higher rainfall volumes likely occurred around the summit area of the volcano.

La Castellana information officer Remuel Lajo said these areas are within the four- to six-kilometer permanent and extended danger zones.

“No evacuation and no rescue were necessary since these areas are within the danger zone, so the residents in these areas were already in the evacuation centers,” Lajo said.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas, in its public advisory, warned residents living near rivers and channels around Kanlaon to stay away from riverbanks and waterways, follow evacuation and safety instructions from local authorities, stay vigilant, prioritize safety, and monitor official sources for updates.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, in its Kanlaon Volcano lahar advisory issued at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, said lahars can threaten communities along the middle and lower slopes with flood, burial and wash-out.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon. (PIA-6)